Well, she did stop short of accusing Chuck Schumer of being worried about losing donations from co-religionist contributors . . . But on today's Morning Joe, Mika Brzezinksi repeatedly claimed that Schumer was acting out of politics in opposing the Iran deal.
Battling with Bill Kristol, an exceptionally exercised Brzezinski broke out the over-the-top adjectives, branding opposition to the deal "ludicrous," "crazy" and "calamitous." What explains Mika's unusual outburst on this subject?
CHUCK SCHUMER: Some say the only answer to this is war, I don't believe so. I believe we should go back and try to get a better deal. The nations of the world should join us in that. We have something called secondary sanctions which got them to the table the first time and can be used again. This deal has too many flaws to support. This is a decision of conscience and my colleagues respect that as I will respect their decisions of conscience.
. . .
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: First of all, I thought Republicans, especially, but often those who were even critics of the deal cared about our reputation around the world, I mean, restarting talks with Iran? That's ludicrous. Does he really mean that or does he really just say that to sort of solidify his long-term political needs?
BILL KRISTOL: Well, it was Chuck Schumer who said that, who's a Democrat, not a Republican.MIKA: Yes. I know. I am very clear on that.
KRISTOL: Well, you said Republicans.
MIKA: Especially Republicans. Like . . . you.
. . .
MIKA: You guys know this would be calamitous for our reputation and for the White House if all of a sudden they just said --
KRISTOL: Hogwash. Hogwash.
MIKA: -- oh, forget it, let's just not do it. That's crazy. Come on!
. . .
MIKA: It almost seems like [Schumer] is doing what he needs to do, and he's saying, everyone else do what you need to do. And if it goes through, I won't make a lot of noise because I got my political check-off of the box --
KRISTOL: I think just dismissing Schumer as this is politics. Axelrod said this too. I mean, really, a senior Democratic senator who's been there a long time.
MIKA: Come on, on this issue?
KRISTOL: You think it's just politics? You don't think Chuck Schumer in terms of his foreign policy views has problems with this deal?
MIKA: No, Bill. I think it's a lot of politics, and that's fair to say. Come on. Look at how -- go ahead.
KRISTOL: You can say it. But the other side is all principle, right?
MIKA: No, I think it's politics. And I think they got the best deal they could get. Again, as Katty pointed out as I pointed out yesterday, what are we going to do, scrap the deal right now?
KRISTOL: Yes.
MIKA: Okay, that's crazy, I'm sorry.
